On Wednesday morning, a collision took place at kilometer 1.5 of the Artemisa railway line when the train traveling from Artemisa to Havana struck a truck that had disregarded established signals at crossing number 4.
According to a report from the Cuban Railways Union, the incident occurred at 7:50 a.m. Although there were no injuries reported, both the train and the truck sustained material damage.
Following the intervention of the Revolutionary National Police (PNR) and a technical check of the locomotive, the train was able to resume its journey to Havana without further issues.
Railway authorities confirmed that traffic was quickly restored and that none of the train personnel were harmed.
The Persistent Issue of Railway Crossing Safety in Cuba
This accident highlights once again the critical issue of neglect at railway crossings, a significant concern in Cuban road safety. Recent railway system reports have stressed the importance of adhering to warning signals and speed limits, particularly in areas where manual or inadequate signage exists due to infrastructure decay.
While this incident resulted in no injury, the collision did cause visible damage to the front of the locomotive and the side of the truck, which had to be removed from the scene.
On the same day, another train, "El Espirituano," operating between Havana and Sancti Spíritus, derailed near the municipality of Placetas in Villa Clara province. Fortunately, no injuries were reported by official sources.
Around 7:30 a.m., train No. 32 derailed one of its four cars. Mirtha García Jiménez, the deputy director of the Cuban Railways Union in Sancti Spíritus, stated that efforts are underway to rectify the derailment and restore the track, allowing the train to continue to the provincial capital.
The Ministry of Transportation took action to ensure the continuation of the journey for the 80 passengers, who were transported by bus to their destination in Sancti Spíritus, according to Yaima Ángel Hernández, president of the Municipal Defense Council of Placetas.
Frequent Train Derailments: A Symptom of Infrastructure Decay
Train derailments, affecting both passenger and freight services, have become increasingly common in Cuba. The causes are numerous, often pointing to the severe deterioration of rail infrastructure, inadequate maintenance of locomotives, and technical issues such as mechanical and electrical failures, alongside poor road signage and human error.
Key Questions on Cuban Railway Safety
What caused the train accident in Artemisa?
The accident was caused by a truck crossing the railway without respecting warning signals, resulting in a collision with the train.
Were there any injuries in the Artemisa train collision?
No injuries were reported in the train collision in Artemisa.
What measures did the Ministry of Transportation take after the derailment near Placetas?
The Ministry of Transportation arranged for buses to transport the 80 passengers to their destination in Sancti Spíritus after the derailment.